Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at St Paul’s Cathedral, allowing about 1½ hours to see the nave, chapels, and dome interior. The cathedral’s visitor hours vary by service days and special events, so check the official schedule and reserve admission if you want access to the galleries; last entry is usually earlier than closing. From central London, the easiest arrival is St Paul’s Underground station on the Central line, with Mansion House and Bank also within walking distance. Leave time for airport-lag recovery rather than trying to climb the dome if you arrive tired—the interior alone is worthwhile.
Walk south via Peter’s Hill to Millennium Bridge, roughly 15 minutes, for one of London’s best views: St Paul’s Cathedral framed behind you and Tate Modern directly ahead across the Thames. Spend around 30 minutes on the bridge, especially if the light is good, then continue into Tate Modern for about 1½ hours. The former power station is free for the main collection, while major exhibitions require tickets; the Turbine Hall and riverside café are easy wins if you do not want a full museum visit.
Walk east along Bankside to Borough Market, about 15 minutes from Tate Modern. Arrive in the early evening for a relaxed wander and choose several small dishes rather than committing to one meal—budget roughly £15–25 per person. Market opening days and individual stall hours vary, so keep this flexible, particularly if the day falls on a Sunday or Monday. It is also a useful place to pick up something sweet or a drink before dinner.
Finish at The George Inn, a short walk away on Borough High Street, for a historic-pub dinner. Expect approximately £25–40 per person, and book or arrive early if you want a table at a busy time. The timbered galleries and courtyard make it more atmospheric than a standard pub, though food service can be slower than in a restaurant—perfect for ending an arrival day without rushing. If you are staying elsewhere in London, London Bridge station is the convenient transport hub nearby, served by Underground, National Rail, and buses.
Start at the British Museum when it opens, allowing around three hours for the Egyptian, Greek and Roman galleries, plus whichever collection interests you most. General entry is free, though special exhibitions are ticketed; booking a free timed slot is sensible during busy periods. The museum is usually open daily, but verify hours and last entry before setting out. From central London, Russell Square is the easiest Tube stop, followed by a short walk through Bloomsbury.
Take the Piccadilly line or a quick taxi to Dishoom King’s Cross for lunch—allow roughly 30 minutes door to door, depending on queues and your starting point. Expect about £20–35 per person; arriving slightly before the main lunch rush helps, as the restaurant does not always offer straightforward reservations for every sitting. Afterwards, stroll around Coal Drops Yard, where restored Victorian railway arches now hold design shops, cafés and galleries. Allow about 1½ hours, with time to look across the regenerated canal-side architecture rather than rushing from shop to shop.
From Coal Drops Yard, join the Regent’s Canal Towpath eastward toward Camden for an easy hour-long walk. It is a pleasant change from London’s busy roads, though the towpath can be narrow and crowded, especially at weekends; stay aware of cyclists. Finish at Camden Market, where two hours is enough to browse the food halls, clothing stalls and independent traders. Budget around £15–25 for a casual dinner, and keep valuables secure in the busiest passages. Camden Town is the nearest Tube station for returning to your accommodation, although the Northern line can be crowded—walking back along the canal or using a short taxi ride may be more comfortable after dinner.
Begin at Westminster Abbey, ideally with a timed entry around opening. Allow about 1½ hours for the coronation church, Poets’ Corner, royal tombs, and medieval chapels. Admission is usually roughly £30–£35 for adults, with services and special events affecting visitor access, so book directly ahead and check the day’s schedule. From there, walk a few minutes to Houses of Parliament for photographs of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben from Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge; allow around 45 minutes. Keep clear of official entrances and expect security barriers around major government buildings.
For lunch, pick up something casual around Victoria Street or Horse Guards Road, then stroll through St James’s Park toward Buckingham Palace. The park takes about an hour at an easy pace, with particularly pleasant views across the lake toward the palace and Whitehall; the route is almost entirely walkable, so there is no need to use the Tube. Spend around 45 minutes outside Buckingham Palace, taking in the ceremonial avenue and the Victoria Memorial. The Changing of the Guard is not daily and is weather- and schedule-dependent, so check the official household calendar rather than planning the day around it. If you want a coffee break, the cafés around Victoria or Piccadilly are more convenient than waiting for a park kiosk.
Walk north through St James’s and Leicester Square to Rules in Covent Garden, allowing roughly 25–30 minutes, or take a short Tube ride from Green Park if your feet are tired. This historic restaurant is a good choice for an early dinner before the theatre; expect approximately £50–£80 per person before drinks, and reserve in advance. Afterward, your West End theatre should be only a short walk away in Covent Garden or Soho. Arrive 30–45 minutes before curtain time for collection, drinks, and seating; performances generally run 2½–3 hours, and the nearest Tube station may be busier than usual after the show, so consider walking toward Charing Cross or Tottenham Court Road before joining the network.
Start at the Tower of London when it opens, allowing around three hours for the fortress, medieval interiors, ravens, and Crown Jewels. Reserve a timed admission in advance—especially for the Crown Jewels—and arrive promptly, as queues can build even with tickets. From central London, take the Tube to Tower Hill; the station is a short walk from the entrance. Give yourself roughly 30–45 minutes for the journey and entry procedures. Admission is typically around £35–£40 for adults, depending on booking date and ticket type.
Walk from the Tower of London to Tower Bridge in about 10 minutes, then allow approximately 1½ hours for the high-level walkways, glass floor, Victorian engine rooms, and views along the Thames. This is a good point for a relaxed snack or coffee nearby before continuing west into the City. Tickets are generally around £13–£15, with advance booking useful at busy times.
Continue on foot for roughly 15 minutes to Leadenhall Market, entering beneath its ornate Victorian arcade for an hour of browsing and lunch. It is a working City market rather than a dedicated attraction, so individual food stalls and restaurants keep their own hours; weekday lunchtime is when the area has the most atmosphere. From there, walk about 10 minutes to Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street. The views are free, but timed reservations are essential and released in limited batches; allow about an hour, including security and the lift ride. Finish with dinner at Duck & Waffle near Liverpool Street, reached in roughly 10 minutes on foot. Book ahead for a table, particularly for the popular evening period; budget approximately £35–£60 per person before drinks, and expect dinner with expansive nighttime city views.
Allow roughly 5–6 hours door to door for the Eurostar London St Pancras–Paris Gare du Nord journey, including getting to St Pancras International, the 60–90-minute check-in and security window, the train itself, and onward travel from Gare du Nord to your hotel. An early departure is essential; book the train in advance, and keep your first afternoon flexible for hotel bag drop and any delays.
Once settled, take the Métro or walk toward Canal Saint-Martin for an easy 1½-hour arrival stroll. Follow the waterside paths around the locks, especially between Rue du Faubourg du Temple and Quai de Valmy, where locals gather at the canal edges with takeaway drinks. This is a good first taste of Paris without committing to a major timed attraction; allow extra time if you need to return to the hotel before dinner.
Browse Marché Couvert de l’Atelier du Verre, a small covered market in the Canal Saint-Martin area, for roughly an hour. Check its current opening days and hours before relying on it, since independent stalls may keep varied schedules. Continue toward Bouillon République for classic French cooking at approximately €15–30 per person; expect a lively, bustling dining room rather than a leisurely quiet meal, and arrive early or be prepared to queue, as reservations may not be available.
After dinner, take the Métro or a 20–25-minute walk toward Place des Vosges in Le Marais. Finish with a gentle 45-minute circuit beneath the arcades and around the garden, a particularly atmospheric way to end a travel day. If you arrive late, keep this walk brief and return by Métro or taxi rather than trying to fit in more sightseeing.
Start at the Louvre Museum at your reserved timed entry, ideally close to opening. Allow about 3½ focused hours rather than trying to cover the entire palace: choose a few priorities in advance, then leave time for the grand staircases, painted ceilings, and quieter galleries. Admission is generally around €22 for standard entry, but availability and pricing can change; a timed reservation is essential, and security may add 20–40 minutes even with a ticket. The nearest practical Métro stops are Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre and Louvre–Rivoli.
After the museum, walk through the Palais Royal, just across the road. The courtyard’s black-and-white columns and surrounding arcades make a good decompression stop, while the garden is especially pleasant for a slow lap or a bench break; allow about an hour. Continue north toward Galerie Vivienne, roughly a 10-minute walk away. This beautifully preserved covered passage is compact—45 minutes is enough to admire its mosaic floor, glass roof, bookshops, and small boutiques. It is a quieter alternative to the busier department-store streets, though individual shops keep their own hours.
Make your way west to Café de la Paix beside the Opéra Garnier, allowing around 15 minutes on foot or a short Métro ride from the passages. Settle in for coffee and a pastry rather than a rushed meal; budget approximately €10–25 per person, and expect the historic setting to come with correspondingly polished prices. Finish with the Opéra Garnier, whose richly decorated foyer, Grand Escalier, and auditorium are worth the 1½-hour visit. Confirm same-day visitor access before relying on this timing, as rehearsals, performances, or private events can restrict the interior; if entry is available, book a timed slot where offered. From Café de la Paix, it is only a few steps to the opera entrance, making this an easy, elegant finish without another cross-city transfer.
Begin at the Musée Rodin in Invalides, ideally near opening, and spend about two hours with Rodin’s sculptures before the garden gets busy. The indoor collection is compact enough to enjoy without rushing, while the garden is the real pleasure on a clear morning—look for The Thinker and The Burghers of Calais among the clipped lawns and rose beds. Admission is usually around €14, with reduced rates and combined tickets sometimes available; check the official calendar because opening hours and garden access can change. From central Paris, take Métro line 13 to Varenne or line 8 to Invalides.
Walk roughly 15 minutes to Rue Cler, one of the 7th arrondissement’s pleasant food streets, for a relaxed browse and lunch. Pick up a filled baguette, cheese, fruit, or pastries from the specialist shops and eat at a nearby café or on Champ de Mars; allow about €15–25 per person. Some shops close for part of the weekend or on Mondays, so keep the market browsing flexible rather than relying on one particular vendor. Continue on foot toward the Eiffel Tower, taking about 20 minutes, and allow roughly 2½ hours for security, the ascent, and the views. Timed admission is essential if you want to go up—book the official ticket in advance and choose the summit or second-floor option carefully, as tickets are not always interchangeable. Leave extra time for queues even with a reservation.
After the tower, walk down to Port de la Bourdonnais for your Seine River cruise, usually about an hour. Cruises are particularly atmospheric as the façades begin to light up, but book ahead for the departure time you want and arrive 15–20 minutes early; boarding points and schedules vary by operator. Finish at Les Ombres in Trocadéro, where the terrace and dining room frame one of the city’s best Eiffel Tower views. Dinner generally runs around €60–100 per person before drinks, and a reservation is strongly recommended. From the cruise landing, allow about 20–25 minutes by Métro or taxi, depending on the exact departure point and traffic; after dinner, Trocadéro Métro station is convenient for returning across Paris.
After breakfast, take RER C from Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame or Musée d’Orsay to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche. The train takes about 40 minutes, but allow roughly 1½ hours door to door for getting to the station, buying or validating the correct Île-de-France ticket, waiting, and walking the 15–20 minutes from the station to the palace. Aim to leave Paris around 08:30–09:00. At the Palace of Versailles, spend about three hours on the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors. A timed admission is essential; book through the official palace website, and check the day’s fountain or musical-garden schedule because some garden areas may carry a supplement.
Walk into the Versailles Gardens after the palace visit and take your time among the formal parterres, long perspectives, and fountains—about two hours is enough for a satisfying, unhurried circuit. For lunch, settle at La Flottille beside the Grand Canal, where classic French dishes typically run about €25–45 per person; outdoor seating is particularly pleasant, though service can slow at busy times. From the restaurant, allow around 20–30 minutes to reach the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon—either walk through the grounds or use the seasonal estate shuttle if operating. These smaller royal residences are much quieter than the main palace and make a good late-afternoon finale; allow roughly two hours, remembering that each site has its own last-entry time and may close earlier than the main palace.
Leave the estate with enough margin for the 15–20-minute walk back to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche and take RER C back toward central Paris in the early evening. Budget about 1½ hours again from leaving the Trianons to reaching your accommodation, including the internal walk, station wait, and onward connection in Paris. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and download the Île-de-France Mobilités route before leaving—Versailles is spacious, and the gardens can add several kilometres to the day.
After breakfast in Versailles, take RER C from Versailles Château–Rive Gauche to Musée d’Orsay or Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame; the ride is about 40 minutes, but allow roughly an hour door to door for walking and the station wait. Start at the Musée de l’Orangerie with a morning timed entry, spending around 1½ hours beneath Monet’s enormous Water Lilies panels and in the compact collection of Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and other Impressionists. Check the official schedule before setting out, as museum hours and special exhibitions vary; admission is typically around €12–€14, with reservations worthwhile in busy periods.
Walk straight into the Jardin des Tuileries afterward, taking about an hour to enjoy the gravel promenades, clipped trees, fountains, and green metal chairs around the ponds. This is a good place for a relaxed coffee or pastry rather than another formal stop—Café des Marronniers is convenient, though prices reflect its central location. Continue east through the gardens toward the river, then use the pedestrian route across to Île de la Cité; allow about 25–30 minutes at an easy pace.
Spend around 1½ hours exploring Île de la Cité, pausing along the riverside quays and around the exterior of Notre-Dame. The cathedral’s approach and surrounding viewpoints are still worth taking slowly, particularly from the Square Jean XXIII side; access arrangements can change, so treat any interior visit as optional unless separately reserved. Then enter Sainte-Chapelle for your timed slot, allowing about an hour. Its upper chapel is especially beautiful when sunlight catches the medieval stained glass, but security screening can add time—arrive 15–20 minutes early and keep bags small. Tickets are generally around €13, subject to current pricing and availability.
Late afternoon is ideal for crossing to Île Saint-Louis and stopping at Berthillon for ice cream, budgeting roughly €6–€12 per person. Have it along the quay or on a quiet side street rather than queuing too long for a table; flavors and opening days can vary, so check the branch’s current hours. From there, walk west toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés—around 25 minutes—or take the Métro from Pont Marie if your feet are tiring.
Finish at Le Procope, one of Paris’s oldest restaurants, for a leisurely dinner in its historic dining rooms. Allow about 1½ hours and budget approximately €35–€60 per person before drinks. It is a popular address, so reserve ahead if possible; otherwise, arriving slightly before the main dinner rush gives you a better chance of a table. Afterward, wander briefly around Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie and the quieter lanes of Saint-Germain-des-Prés rather than adding another major sight.
Take the direct Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal, allowing roughly 6–7 hours door to door once you include the trip to the station, check-in, boarding, the train, and getting to your hotel. A morning departure is important: tickets are commonly around €60–€180 when booked ahead, and you should arrive at Gare du Nord 60–90 minutes before departure for check-in and security. After leaving luggage at your accommodation—if the room is not ready, most hotels will store bags—walk or take a short tram or metro ride into the historic centre.
Begin at Dam Square, where you can get your bearings among the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk, and the busy streets radiating toward the canals. Allow about 45 minutes, but expect crowds and frequent bicycle traffic. From here, it is a short walk to the quiet Begijnhof, a hidden courtyard of historic houses and gardens; keep voices low, as it remains a residential and religious space. Entry is free, though access can occasionally be restricted, so treat it as a flexible stop rather than a guaranteed timed attraction.
Continue west into De Negen Straatjes, the charming nine-lane pocket between the major canals. Spend about 1½ hours browsing independent boutiques, vintage shops, design stores, and small cafés along Wolvenstraat, Hartenstraat, and Reestraat. This is best enjoyed without a strict route—cross the bridges, pause beside the canal houses, and save heavier shopping for later so you do not have to carry it across town.
For dinner, head to Foodhallen in De Hallen complex in Oud-West. From the Canal Ring, allow about 15–25 minutes by tram or roughly 25 minutes by bicycle, depending on your exact starting point. The indoor food market is a good first-night choice after the long transfer: order from several stalls and budget approximately €15–30 per person, with options ranging from Dutch snacks to Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, and international dishes. It is livelier in the evening, and seating can be competitive at peak dinner time, so arriving a little before the main rush makes things easier.
Start at the Rijksmuseum with a timed admission close to opening, allowing about three hours. Concentrate on the Gallery of Honour for Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s works, then leave time for the richly decorated building itself; trying to see every collection will make the morning feel rushed. Adult admission is typically around €25, and advance booking is strongly recommended. From Amsterdam Centraal, take tram 2 or 12 toward the Museumplein area, or use the metro to Vijzelgracht and walk; allow roughly 20–30 minutes depending on your starting point.
Have lunch around Museumplein, then spend about 45 minutes relaxing among the lawns and cultural buildings rather than immediately moving on. For a more substantial meal, Café Wildschut on the nearby Roelof Hartstraat is a convenient local-style option, while the cafés along the square are practical if you want to keep the break short. Continue to the Moco Museum for roughly 1½ hours of modern and street art. Its popular exhibitions can sell out or develop queues, so check the official schedule and reserve a timed ticket if required; admission is generally about €20–25. From Museumplein, it is only a few minutes on foot.
Walk south into Vondelpark for an easy hour among the ponds and tree-lined paths. Enter near the Paulus Potterstraat side and wander toward the park’s central lawns, where it is pleasant to pause with a coffee or simply let the museum-heavy day soften. Finish with dinner at Café Loetje in Oud-Zuid, a casual Dutch restaurant known for its steak and gravy; budget approximately €25–40 per person, and check current opening hours or reserve if you are dining at peak time. It is close enough to reach on foot from the park, so there is no need to add another tram journey.
Start at the Anne Frank House with a pre-booked timed ticket; tickets are released online and are required, and you should not rely on buying one at the door. Allow about 1½ hours for the preserved hiding place and museum. The visit is emotionally demanding, so leave a little quiet time afterward rather than immediately rushing on. From here, walk next door to Westerkerk, the landmark church beside the museum. Allow roughly 45 minutes, checking the day’s visitor and service schedule because access can change.
Spend the next couple of hours wandering Jordaan, one of Amsterdam’s most enjoyable neighborhoods for an unhurried walk. Follow the smaller canals around Egelantiersgracht, Bloemgracht, and Lindengracht, pausing at independent galleries, courtyards, and brown cafés rather than trying to cover every street. For a break, stop at Winkel 43 for its famous apple pie, usually around €8–15 per person; it can be busy, so takeaway is a practical option. Continue toward Noorderkerk and its square, allowing about 45 minutes to admire the historic church and the calmer northern edge of the neighborhood. Check opening hours in advance, as church access is often limited outside services or events.
Have dinner at Café de Reiger, a classic Jordaan neighborhood restaurant, budgeting approximately €30–50 per person before drinks. It is a good place to settle into Amsterdam’s relaxed local rhythm after a museum-heavy morning; booking ahead is sensible, especially for dinner. The compact itinerary is easily walked, but if your feet are tired, Amsterdam’s trams and buses connect the Jordaan with Amsterdam Centraal and the Museum Quarter—use the GVB app for live routes and ticket options.
Start at the Amsterdam Museum, ideally close to opening, and allow about two hours for its thoughtful overview of the city’s growth, trade, social history, and everyday life. It is a good final-day museum because the exhibits provide context for places you have already seen without demanding the scale of a full morning at a major national collection. Check the official schedule and reserve ahead if timed entry is being used; admission is typically around €15–€20 for adults. From there, walk roughly 10 minutes east through the lanes of Centrum to Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest building. Allow about an hour for the church interior and its changing art installations. Opening hours can be affected by services or events, so verify the day’s access before setting out.
Continue into De Wallen for a relaxed pause at Nieuwmarkt, where the historic Waag anchors the square. Give yourself around 45 minutes for a coffee, snack, or market browsing rather than treating it as another formal attraction. A practical lunch choice nearby is Café ’t Loosje, whose terrace is pleasant when available; expect roughly €15–€25 per person for a casual meal. After lunch, walk or take tram 2, 12, or 14 toward Centraal Station, then board the free ferry to Amsterdam-Noord. At A’DAM Lookout, allow about 1½ hours for the observation decks and broad views over the IJ and historic city. Admission is generally around €18–€25, with the swing costing extra; book a timed slot if you want a particular afternoon window. Ferries run frequently, but leave about 30 minutes for walking, waiting, and the crossing.
Return by ferry to Centraal Station for your pre-booked Amsterdam canal boat cruise, allowing about 1½ hours. Early evening is especially atmospheric as the lights begin to appear along the canal houses, but arrive 15–20 minutes before departure because operators use different piers around the station and central ring. Prices commonly fall around €20–€35, depending on the boat and whether drinks or commentary are included. After disembarking, walk into Jordaan for dinner at De Belhamel, a long-standing canal-side restaurant with views over the Brouwersgracht and Herengracht area. Reserve ahead, particularly for a waterside table, and budget approximately €35–€60 per person before drinks. The restaurant makes a pleasant final evening: keep the walk afterward unhurried, following the quieter canals rather than trying to add another scheduled sight.
Begin with Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp, provided it is operating that day—market days and stall hours can vary, so check the official listing before setting out. Allow about 1½ hours for Dutch snacks, cheese, stroopwafels, packaged treats, and small souvenirs. Bring a reusable bag and some cash, although many stalls accept cards. This is a good place for final gifts because the market is more relaxed in the morning, before the food stalls and narrow aisles become crowded.
Stay in De Pijp afterward for an hour of unhurried browsing. Wander along Gerard Doustraat and Utrechtsestraat for independent design shops, vintage stores, and small Dutch homeware boutiques rather than buying everything at the market. For brunch, settle at The Avocado Show; expect approximately €15–25 per person for a light meal and allow about an hour. Check opening times and whether reservations are available, as late-morning tables can fill quickly.
Collect your luggage from the hotel and allow roughly 45–60 minutes from central Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport, depending on the time of day and whether you use the direct train from Amsterdam Centraal or a taxi. For an international flight, aim to reach the airport about three hours before departure; add extra time if checking bags or returning a rental vehicle. Amsterdam Centraal’s trains to Schiphol Airport are frequent and take around 15–20 minutes, while a taxi is more convenient with several bags but can be slowed by traffic. At Schiphol, check the flight information screens first—security and gate walking times can be substantial, and some gates require an additional passport check.
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